What I'm Reading

This weekend, you'll find me snuggled up with: Khristian A. Howell's Color + Pattern Flow Magazine's Mindfulness Issue Cynthia Morris' Chasing Sylvia Beach Deadpool: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Daily Bits

I love saving my movie ticket stubs. Living in Los Angeles, my family and I are very lucky to have access to theatres that not only show a wide variety of films but also have special guests. In the month of February, we saw (and met) William Friedkin, John Boorman and Wes Anderson.) We're such film nerds. I love it.  Peter Bogdanovich will be back in town for his retrospective at The Aero in Santa Monica next week. I'll be at Art Unraveled in Phoenix but am planning on being home in time for his Sunday night screening and talk. We've seen him a few times over the years. I love listening to Bogdanovich talk and am really looking forward to it.

Jet Pens: New Pens!

As part of their sponsorship program, JetPens sent me a $25 gift certificate to play with. 

I'm a sucker for anything made by Sakura. It's not a secret that I've had a long, passionate love affair with their Glaze and Souffle pens (THE best gel pens on the market, hands down.) I keep hoping for new colors so when I saw that JetPens was stocking something called Sakura Limited Edition Photo Pen Candy Gel Ink, I couldn't add them to my cart fast enough. Seven colors? Pffft. Not enough (that's my only complaint.) They never release enough colors. 

I love the opaque, matte finish with these pens. The colors are definitely different than the Souffle pens (so, yeah, you probably need both.) I really like how they write smoothly on washi and paper tape as well as (dried) painted pages. They dry fast, too.

I would definitely buy more of these pens again especially if they were made available in more colors. (I just realized that I didn't order the Vivid Green. Will have to rectify that asap!)

Thanks, JetPens!

Thanks, Sakura, for making great pens! 

A Closer Look at My Summer 2015 Classes

 

Here is my list of classes for Summer 2015.

I'm ALWAYS looking for new teaching venues so if you know of any that may be interested, I'd love to hear. I have taught at stores, museums, schools, backyards, garages, studios and private homes. I also am available for teaching home schooling art classes.

My workshops are always process-based learning while creating a unique product. I am well known for not traveling light and bring a large variety of supplies including (but not limited to) collage material, rubber stamps, stencils, pens, markers, tape and more.
Please note the small supply list for each class.

If you're not near where I'll be teaching, but you're interested in taking a class, I do offer a variety of online classes (27 different online workshops as of March 2015.) You can find out more info on the right side of my main blog.

August

* Art Unraveled Phoenix, AZ I'm teaching August 5-8th

  

Wed Aug 5th Essence of Me: Layers of Paper and Tape

Thurs Aug 6th Love Your Lettering

Fri Aug 7th Painted Visions

Sat Aug 8th Layers of Me: Lessons in Unraveling

* August 16th Book Arts LA A Gypsy Heart Journal

 

August 23rd Scrampers Torrance An Artist's Playground

August 29th Banana Rose Westlake Village Found: Moments of Me

I hope to see you there! 

Upcoming Classes at Scrampers in Torrance

 

I am really looking forward to returning to teach at Scrampers in Torrance. The store is HUGE with lots of fun goodies and an extremely large classroom space. I'll be teaching:

August 23rd An Artist's Playground
September 27th The Painted Book: An Exploration in Layers
November 22nd Here in My Head
December 13th Journey in Black and White

Scrampers

1309 Sartori Ave, Torrance, CA 90501

(310) 320-5476 (please do not call the store to sign up as all sign-ups for my classes at this store are handled via me. Please note the paypal buttons below.)

 

Each class is four hours in length. 

  
Class time is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 
The class fee is $80 per person (per class) which includes a vast array of mediums and materials to complete the necessary project. It is well known that I do not travel light to any of my classes. I will be bringing such things as:

• all materials necessary to complete the project (handmade paper, decorative paper, board, glue, etc...)
• bookbinding supplies (thread, awl, needles)
• rubber stamps 
• ink pads 
• decorative tape
• stencils
• pens and markers
• gel medium
• collage ephemera and much, much more.

Cancellation policy: Students are allowed to cancel 72 hours (3 days) before the class. After that, you can send someone else in your place or receive a kit.

I do not travel light to my classes at all!

Please note if these buttons don't work or if you have questions, please email me at EGorey99@sbcglobal.net.

Kelly's Classes at Scrampers in Torrance

Aug 23rd An Artists Playground 10-2 $80.00 USD     Sep 27 The Painted Book $80.00 USD     Nov 22nd Here in My Head $80.00 USD     Dec 13th A Gypsy Heart $80.00 USD

 
 

August 23rd An Artist's Playground

Learn how to combine your precious bits of ephemera into a truly one of a kind artist's journal. Create a playground of self expression and discovery. You will learn how to step back and see things in your artwork that you haven't noticed before.

I have been working on this class for over two years now and am very eager to share it with you. You will be inspired in this class.

Supply list:  scissors, a selection of favorite collage ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black ink pad (if you have one),  1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes) OR a few of your favorite glue sticks (large glue sticks will last you longer), roll of waxed paper OR an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.) 

September 27th The Painted Book: An Exploration in Layers

 

 

By popular demand, I'm teaching a brand new mixed media class. Roll up your sleeves, don your aprons and prepare to get messy! We'll explore a variety of mediums including watercolor, gouache, and much, much more. Create richly painted pages which you will assemble into a canvas covered book. Learn new ways of exploring color and layering in this unique four hour workshop.

Supply list: Apron, tacky glue, scissors, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black ink pad, and 1" brush to paint and glue (I like chip or bristle brushes).

 

November 22nd Here in My Head

Construct an very unique journal with pages full of layers of colorful paper, deep musings and luscious layers that flip and fold out. (See the pictures below.) You'll then learn how to fill the pages with imagery, color, text, patterns and more that speak to you. You'll love this fun class!
 

Supply list: 1 yard of ribbon, scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black ink pad,  1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes) OR a few of your favorite glue sticks, roll of waxed paper OR an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)

 

December 13th A Gypsy Heart

A Gypsy Heart- Construct a rich, lusciously layered portrait of you in journal form by bringing together color, text and images onto the page. You will make visually stunning and authentic pages, all contained in a hardcover book bound by your own hands. You will leave class with several pages completed along with new ideas for the rest of your book.

Supply list:  scissors, a selection of favorite collage ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black ink pad (if you have one),  1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes) OR a few of your favorite glue sticks (large glue sticks will last you longer), roll of waxed paper OR an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)

 I hope to see you there!

3 February 2015 Journal Page

I just finished The Little Paris Bookshop. I really enjoyed it. It won't go down as one of my most favorite books but I am very glad that I read it and I would recommend it. Any book that begins with a recommendation of Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog (on the list of my favorite books but please do skip the film) is a thumbs up for me. Big thanks to my Colorado friends who were talking about it in class (you know who you are!) Now I'm looking at my stacks of books and wondering what to dive into next.

Speaking of Murel Barbery, she's written a new book called, The Life of the Elves. I know what I will be reading in February 2016.

2 February 2015 Journal Page

I took Tristan for his permit test today. He passed and is eager to start his on the road driving tests (thanks, Nana, for the AAA driving school lessons for him!)  I spent all afternoon reading Nina George's The Little Paris Bookshop. I'm halfway through and I can't put it down. I love books about how books weave themselves into our daily lives. In my home, books are such an important part of our everyday life. I can't imagine being without them.  Lost in a book is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and such a rare treat (as I'm usually working and do most of my reading at night.) I'm thinking of starting more of my mornings with books (as opposed to the internet.) I have stacks of them around my bed waiting for me. Worlds and ideas to discover and ponder. What a lovely way to start the day.

Temple of Art Trailer

Temple of Art Trailer from Olga Nunes on Vimeo.
http://TempleOfArt.net

I know that I've posted about The Temple of Art several times before but I can't help but share my excitement over the new trailer! I supported this project on Kickstarter and I'm eager to see the book and the film. 

More clips can be found here. Watch them. Trust me.

My previous posts can be found here:
Temple of Art
Temple of Art Barron Storey and Paper Airplanes
Temple of Art at La Luz in Hollywood

New Toys: Stencils from Artistcellar

99% of the supplies that I use both personally as well as in my classes are ones that I buy just like my readers and students do. Once in a blue moon, someone sends me something to use. I have to LOVE the product in order to recommend it.  Artistcellar was kind enough to send me new stencils to use in my classes. I appreciate not only the cool designs but also how thick and sturdy the stencils themselves are. I use them with my pens, markers, pencils, watercolor crayons, acrylics and acrylic mediums. I can't wait to try the kaleidoscope one! Thanks again, artistcellar!

Paint Markers and High Altitude

I've spoken a lot about my favorite paint markers over the years (yes, I'm looking at you water based Sharpies, Molotow and Montana markers!) I've suggested many times that when you first buy a paint marker that you should "burp" it to get the air flowing. Well, one thing that I could never figure out (and this has been happening for MANY years) is how to stop the paint markers from "throwing up" (or leaking) all over the place when one goes from low altitude to high altitude. 

Last week, one of my wonderful Colorado students suggested that before you use a marker that has gone from low to high altitude that you take a paper towel or rag, hold the pen tip up and press down on the nib once. This will get the air flowing throughout the marker. Yes, the pen will leak a little bit when you first do this but it stops immediately. Afterwards, as needed, shake and pump the tip on scrap paper before you  use it on your page. 

I hope that this helps you as much as it helped me! Just say no to leaky markers!

More on My Favorite Pens Here (lots of links!)
Derwent Graphik Line Painters

30 January 2015 Journal Page

"There is something brought alive during play, and this something, when played with, seems to play back."-Lynda Barry

Coming Home

Blogging from Metro Pizza in Las Vegas (our favorite Vegas pizza joint.) Mom leaves early in  the morning. The bed will feel good tonight. No classes between now and Art Unraveled. I'll be working on several new ideas that I have planned. Hopefully, I'll squeeze in some down time, too...

1 February 2015 Journal Page

I'm settled in for the night at a hotel on the border of Colorado and Utah. I had the best time this weekend in Masonville. Great location and it goes without saying, great people. It was a weekend full of art, snacks, laughter and some truly heartfelt moments.  Art touches us in wonderful ways and I'm very thankful for the people I have met along the way. Thank you. I can't say it enough.

On my Shelf: What I'm Reading Now

Martin Dawber's Vintage Illustration (been wanting this and Barnes and Noble in Fort Collins had it for 50% off!) Leslie Stein's Bright-Eyed at Midnight (comics + a journal!) Nina George's The Little Paris Bookshop (thanks to my new friends for the recommendation!)

29 January 2015 Journal Page

Always love teaching in Loveland. It is one of my happy places.

Bringing Home the Goods: Blue Twig Studio Colorado Springs, CO

A very big thanks to Deb and the Gang at Blue Twig Studio in Colorado Springs. I loved teaching there! I'm still drooling over the stencil wall! Here's what I brought back.  I love to support mom and pop shops as much as possible. We don't have any shops like these in L.A. anymore so I do a lot of my shopping on road trips like these. I love finding new toys and can't wait to play with them.  Off to an early bed. Mom had flight delays so we didn't get into Colorado Springs until 5 a.m. this morning. The night before it was after 2:30 a.m. Up very early both days. That bed will feel great tonight. Next stop, Masonville Artist's Studio in Loveland.

Bringing Home the Goods: Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps in Santa Fe

I had a fabulous time teaching at Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps. I found some goodies that I'm looking forward to using!  Next stop, Blue Twig Studio in Colorado Springs!

27 January 2015 Journal Page

Blogging from Oregano's in Flagstaff! Tristan and I are on our way to Santa Fe. Mom had problems with her flight today thanks to bad weather in Chicago. We'll pick her up tomorrow night in Albuquerque (after my classes in Santa Fe.) Looking forward to the morning and seeing some familiar faces as well as meeting new ones!

Bringing Home the Goods: San Diego Comic Con 2015

Top Row: From Bud Plant: Jeffrey Jones Idyl I'm Age Cathy Fenner's Women of Wonder From Anders Nilsen at Drawn & Quarterly: Anders Nilsen's Monologuist Paper  Second Row: From Fantagraphics: Leslie Stein's Bright Eyed at Midnight From Drawn & Quarterly: Poetry is Useless by Anders Nilsen From Abrams: Barbara Stok's Vincent  Bottom Row: From Eidolon Arts: Barron Storey's Soliloquy  The Pullip doll was purchased at a booth that does not sell online, unfortunately. I hope to have a post up about our sketches as well. (I will add links to these when I can. Leaving tomorrow for my classes in New Mexico and Colorado.)

Adieu to San Diego Comic Con 2015

I'm not ready to leave the little bubble called San Diego Comic Con (or SDCC.) I just got home. There are bags to be unpacked, books to be put away and always plenty to do. That can wait. For now, I'm going to put my feet up and my head to my pillow. I'll close my eyes and dream about the surreal little land that exists for four and a half days every year if you're lucky enough to have a golden ticket. Wake me up when it's that time again in 2016.

My SDCC Purchases (So Far)

I've been limiting my purchases at San Diego Comic Con so far mostly because we've been too busy getting autographs and sketches to really shop. Real estate in our backpacks is a prime commodity as well. Lugging books to be signed along with water, your own mini journal kit and your purse (or a camera if you're David) can get pretty heavy by the middle of the day (you should see the red marks on our shoulders.) We do it once a year so it's not that big of a deal and we have a blast doing it.  I made it a point today to make sure that I popped in at Eidolon Fine Arts to pick up a copy of Barron Storey's Soliloquy book. I missed buying it in 2012 (I had just lost my Dad a couple of weeks before the Con and everything was in a surreal daze.) I'm thankful that there were still copies available and that Barron signed mine. It's always a pleasure to see him.  I also found a new (to me) cute Pullip doll. She was $20 and has insanely long pigtails that I couldn't pass up. Alas, no redhead dolls this year but I've been looking!  Off to shower and refresh before I get back into the line for Hall H in the morning. Today is Saturday in the Hall and that means Batman v Superman, Crimson Peak and Deadpool (to name a few things...)

Art in the Park

I'm one of those crazy people in line for Hall H on Saturday. I've got my journal, art supplies, blankets and food. I've spent the last three days running after artists and writers. I'm now ready for Batman v Superman, Deadpool and Crimson Peak tomorrow to name a few things... Sleep? No sleep for me while I'm here!

Excelsior!

David's birthday is today. I managed to get a few of his favorites to sign a card for him: Bernie Wrightson Jim Steranko Neal Adams Len Wein Grant Morrison Stan "The Man" Lee I can't wait to see David's face when he opens it!

On the Go Art Journal Kit

One of my friends (thanks, T.A!) gave me a first aid kit from Target. I filled it with scissors, ruler, pens, markers, tape, ephemera and my journal. I'm ready for working in my journal any time, any place!

So, This Just Happened...

I met The Doctor!!!!!! Weird thing was just chased after someone we thought was Peter Capaldi. We turn down a street and there he was! He pointed to my phone (Dr Who Van Gogh Tardis) and exclaimed, "Look at all the Tardis!" He was a sweetheart and took photos with Tristan and then asked if I wanted one. YES! I'm so happy!!!What a way to start San Diego Comic Con 2015!